The 50-year-old star is best known for
his martial arts action films, which include Bloodsport,
Kickboxer, Double Impact, Universal Soldier,
Hard Target, Timecop and JCVC, earning him the
nicknames “The Muscles from Brussels” and “Van Damage.”

After a successful martial arts and
bodybuilding career in Brussels, he emigrated to the United States
in 1982 to pursue an acting career.

Van Damme, who has been married to five
women and has three children, recently told
the SabotageTimes.com that he appreciates his gay fans.

“Most gay people are very tasty
people – they like beautiful stuff in their lives.” Van Damme
told the website. “If they like me, it means they have taste.
They don't follow me for my butt shots.”

“They like me for me,” he said.

He added that he has no problem with
showing off his ass: “I have no problem showing my naked body from
the back, but from the front is a very different matter. I wouldn't
want to lose all my fans.”

Double Impact, which arrived in
theaters in 1991, is being prepared for release on DVD.